FILE: HYNEK.UFO
AUTHOR: Jim Speiser
DATE: ParaNet Information Service
SUBJECT: Hynek UFO Value Rating System (Used in some form by CUFON) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE HYNEK RATING SYSTEM
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At the bottom of each UFO Sighting Report in the CUFON database you will see
a rating in the form S#/P#. This represents ParaNet's initial Hynek Rating of the value of the case. It is not to be confused with the Classification,
which is simply a representation of the type of case being dealt with.
ParaNet has devised what we call "the Hynek Scale" or "the Hynek Rating System" in hopes of creating a standard by which to judge UFO reports. The system is explained below.

S: Strangeness
The "Strangeness" factor of a case description shall be rated
from 1 to 5 as follows: .

1 - Explained or Explainable
2 - Probably Explainable, with more data
3 - Possibly Explainable, but with elements of strangeness
4 - Strange; Does not conform with known principles
5 - Highly Strange; Definitely indicative of intelligent guidance
.
Examples:
S1 - Aircraft, meteor, etc.
S2 - Experimental aircraft; planet or star
S3 - Slow, low flying objects in formation
S4 - BOL (Ball of Light Phenomena); physical traces
S5 - Close Encounters, Abductions, etc.

P: Probability The "Probability" factor of a case relates to the credibility,
number and separation of witnesses and/or the soundness of evidence
gathered. It shall be rated from 1 to 5 as follows: .

1 - Not Credible or Sound
2 - Unreliable; Smacks of Hoax
3 - Somewhat credible or indeterminate
4 - Credible; Sound
5 - Highly Credible, leaving almost no doubt

Examples:
P1 - Known Hoaxer or UFO "Flake"; Hoax Photo
P2 - Repeat Witness; Conflicting Testimony
P3 - Standard, first-time witness; slight radiation reading
P4 - Multiple witnesses; pilot; clear photo
P5 - National Figure; Multiple independent witnesses; videotape

The composite Hynek Rating of a case shall consist of the combined S & P
factors, stated as Sn/Pn, e.g. S3/P5; except that cases with an S factor of
1 shall simply be stated as S1.


Examples using recent or famous cases:

S1 - Wickenburg, AZ, July 10 (explanation:Mars)
S5/P1 - Billy Meier
S2/P5 - X-shaped UFO, Petaluma, CA May 28
S4/P5 - Brazilian "Ping Pong Balls"
S5/P4 - Betty & Barney Hill
S4/P4 - Lubbock Lights
S5/P5 - MedEvac Helicopter ("Coyne" Case)
S3/P2 - Delphos
S4/P2 - Anything published in SAUCER SMEAR

I believe this rating system will be a useful tool to investigators who wish
to narrow their focus to the most promising cases. It is not my intention
that any one group "stake a claim" to this system; rather, I'd like to see
several groups or investigators rate cases according to their own view,
merely using this system as a standard. . The rating of a particular case
may, indeed perhaps should, change from time to time as new evidence is
gathered.

Seth,
telnet://ricksbbs.synchro.net:23
http://ricksbbs.synchro.net:8080
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